Developing the World in 2021 with Clean and Safe Energy

Dear colleagues,

The world’s huge population growth and fast development are putting sustainability issues on the agenda. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated how energy is being used, as well as how dependent on energy we are to work, travel, educate ourselves, or in our daily activities. The ever-growing energy consumption is still mostly relying on fossil fuels, with dramatic impacts on the environment, causing soil, air, and water contamination, that in turn negatively impact on population health and development. To mitigate this situation and try to alleviate the stress on development posed by the uneven distribution of fuel resources, it is mandatory that nations shift away from relying on fossil fuels toward more environmentally sustainable energy sources.

The world can only continue to develop sustainably if the effects of fossil fuel extraction, transportation, and combustion are stopped, which can only occur if energy is used more efficiently and produced from renewable sources, produced locally, and made available where needed, using adequate energy distribution networks and storage energy systems. Moreover, empowering energy end users, namely in the scope of citizen energy communities and using effective demand response schemes, is also relevant to ensure sustainable development.

This Special Issue welcomes original and innovative contributions addressing the challenges of renewable and sustainable energy, from the points of view of production, distribution, and use and how to guarantee its availability, affordability, and its efficient use. Topics include, but are not limited to, blue hydrogen; business models for energy production, distribution, and supply; carbon and water footprint of energy systems; efficient energy usage; energy communities; energy decarbonization; energy-efficient buildings; energy management; energy markets; energy policy; energy storage; green hydrogen; integration of electric vehicles; LCA of energy systems; renewable energy; and smart energy systems.

Prof. Dr. Nídia Caetano
Prof. Dr. Zita Vale
Prof. Dr. Carlos Felgueiras
Prof. Dr. Coriolano Salvini
Prof. Dr. Ambra Giovannelli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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